Safety and efficacy of oral desensitization to swordfish in children with persistent and multiple fish allergy

Abstract

Background In Portugal, fish allergy is the third cause of food allergy in children and it can be severe and persistent. Patients are often allergic to several fish species, based on the cross-reactivity of their parvalbumins. However, some studies indicate that there are fish species, like swordfish, with lower levels of parvalbumins and which are expected to be of lower allergenicity. Management for this disease is based on allergen avoidance and symptomatic treatment of accidental allergic reactions and there are few studies about oral fish desensitization.